Methods and apparatus for determining the endpoint of a cleaning or conditioning process in a plasma processing system

ABSTRACT

A method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process is disclosed. The method includes providing a sensor that is coplanar with the surface, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the thickness. The method also includes exposing the plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein the thickness is changed by the exposing, and determining the thickness as a function of time. The method further includes ascertaining a steady state condition in the thickness, the steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of the thickness, a start of the steady state condition representing the endpoint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to substrate manufacturing technologies and in particular to methods and apparatus for determining the endpoint of a cleaning or conditioning process in a plasma processing system.

In the processing of a substrate, e.g., a semiconductor wafer, MEMS device, or a glass panel such as one used in flat panel display manufacturing, plasma is often employed. As part of the processing of a substrate (chemical vapor deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, etch, etc.) for example, the substrate is divided into a plurality of dies, or rectangular areas, each of which will become an integrated circuit. The substrate is then processed in a series of steps in which materials are selectively removed (etching) and deposited (deposition) in order to form electrical components thereon.

In an exemplary plasma process, a substrate is coated with a thin film of hardened emulsion (such as a photoresist mask) prior to etching. Areas of the hardened emulsion are then selectively removed, causing parts of the underlying layer to become exposed. The substrate is then placed in a plasma processing chamber on a substrate support structure comprising a mono-polar or bi-polar electrode, called a chuck. Appropriate etchant source gases (e.g., C₄F₈, C₄F₆, CHF₃, CH₂F₃, CF₄, CH₃F, C₂F₄, N₂, O₂, Ar, Xe, He, H₂, NH3, SF₆, BCl₃, Cl₂, etc.) are then flowed into the chamber and struck to form a plasma to etch exposed areas of the substrate.

To ensure consistent plasma processing results, it is common practice to employ chamber conditioning processes prior to processing for every substrate. Chamber conditioning generally refers to a process that sets or resets the plasma chamber conditions to a substantially known state. For example, it is routine practice on dielectric etch plasma processing systems to remove residual hydrofluorocarbon polymers from the plasma chamber surfaces prior to processing the next substrate (i.e., without a substrate present), in a process known as waferless auto clean or WAC. WAC is commonly performed after a substrate has been processed, to ensure that the next substrate sees a standard, well-defined chamber condition, avoiding cumulative effects of pollutant byproduct buildup.

Generally comprised of organic and inorganic byproducts, pollutants are generated by the plasma process from materials in the etchant gases (e.g., carbon, fluorine, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, xenon, silicon, boron, chlorine, etc.), from materials in the substrate (e.g. photoresist, silicon, oxygen, nitrogen, aluminum, titanium, etc.), or from structural materials within the plasma processing chamber itself (e.g., aluminum, quartz, etc.).

Consistent plasma processing results may also be enhanced by be pre-coating the plasma chamber surfaces with a well-defined plasma-deposited film prior to processing each substrate to ensure a standard, well-defined chamber condition. Useful to avoid buildup of undesirable materials on chamber surfaces during the substrate processing, this method may reduce the time needed to recover from wet chamber cleans.

Conditioning the plasma chamber also may allow the surface chemistry of some plasma chamber materials to be more precisely controlled, such as the removal of oxidized surface films before processing each substrate. For example, Si tends to form a surface oxide when exposed to oxygen plasma. The presence of surface oxide as opposed to bare Si may have a significant influence on process results due to the well-known large variation in radical recombination rates on insulating as opposed to conductive surfaces. In addition, some plasma chamber conditioning processes may also require use of a dummy substrate that does not include microscopic structures, in order to protect the electrostatic chuck (chuck).

In these processes and others, it is important to determine when the endpoint of the process is reached. Endpoint generally refers to a set of values, or a range, in a plasma process (e.g., time) for which a process is considered complete. For conditioning, pre-coating, and surface chemistry control applications, the thickness of the material of interest is usually the most important value.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified diagram of an inductively coupled plasma processing system is shown. Generally, an appropriate set of gases may be flowed from gas distribution system 122 into plasma chamber 102 having plasma chamber walls 117. These plasma processing gases may be subsequently ionized at or in a region near injector 109 to form a plasma 110 in order to process (e.g., etch or deposit) exposed areas of substrate 114, such as a semiconductor substrate or a glass pane, positioned with edge ring 115 on an electrostatic chuck 116.

A first RF generator 134 generates the plasma as well as controls the plasma density, while a second RF generator 138 generates bias RF, commonly used to control the DC bias and the ion bombardment energy. Further coupled to source RF generator 134 is matching network 136 a, and to bias RF generator 138 is matching network 136 b, that attempt to match the impedances of the RF power sources to that of plasma 110. Furthermore, vacuum system 113, including a valve 112 and a set of pumps 111, is commonly used to evacuate the ambient atmosphere from plasma chamber 102 in order to achieve the required pressure to sustain plasma 110 and/or to remove process byproducts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified diagram of a capacitively coupled plasma processing system is shown. Generally, capacitively coupled plasma processing systems may be configured with a single or with multiple separate RF power sources. Source RF, generated by source RF generator 234, is commonly used to generate the plasma as well as control the plasma density via capacitively coupling. Bias RF, generated by bias RF generator 238, is commonly used to control the DC bias and the ion bombardment energy. Further coupled to source RF generator 234 and bias RF generator 238 is matching network 236, which attempts to match the impedance of the RF power sources to that of plasma 220. Other forms of capacitive reactors have the RF power sources and match networks connected to the top electrode 204. In addition there are multi-anode systems such as a triode that also follow similar RF and electrode arrangements.

Generally, an appropriate set of gases is flowed through an inlet in a top electrode 204 from gas distribution system 222 into plasma chamber 202 having plasma chamber walls 217. These plasma processing gases may be subsequently ionized to form a plasma 220, in order to process (e.g., etch or deposit) exposed areas of substrate 214, such as a semiconductor substrate or a glass pane, positioned with edge ring 215 on an electrostatic chuck 216, which also serves as an electrode. Furthermore, vacuum system 213, including a valve 212 and a set of pumps 211, is commonly used to evacuate the ambient atmosphere from plasma chamber 202 in order to achieve the required pressure to sustain plasma 220.

In view of the foregoing, there are desired methods and apparatus for determining the endpoint of a cleaning or conditioning process in a plasma processing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process. The method includes providing a sensor that is coplanar with the surface, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the thickness. The method also includes exposing the plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein the thickness is changed by the exposing, and determining the thickness as a function of time. The method further includes ascertaining a steady state condition in the thickness, the steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of the thickness, a start of the steady state condition representing the endpoint.

The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process. The method includes providing a sensor that is recessed from the surface, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the thickness. The method also includes exposing the plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein the thickness is changed by the exposing, and determining the thickness as a function of time. The method further includes ascertaining a steady state condition in the thickness, the steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of the thickness, a start of the steady state condition representing the endpoint.

The invention relates, in another embodiment, to an apparatus for determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process. The apparatus includes means for providing a sensor that is coplanar with the surface, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the thickness. The apparatus also includes means for exposing the plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein the thickness is changed by the exposing, and means for determining the thickness as a function of time. The apparatus further includes means for ascertaining a steady state condition in the thickness, the steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of the thickness, a start of the steady state condition representing the endpoint.

These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified diagram of an inductively coupled plasma processing system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified diagram of a capacitively coupled plasma processing system;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example from a dielectric etch plasma processing, where the induced bias on the probe during the pulsed application of RF power is correlated to the thickness of polymer deposited on the probe, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a comparison of the probe data of FIG. 3 to other diagnostic data, in which probe induced bias is shown to be a substantially accurate method of detecting the correct endpoint for polymer removal, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar ion flux probe, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar QCM, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar interferometer, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed by the inventor herein that an endpoint of a process that can change the thickness of a layer on a plasma processing chamber surface may be determined with a sensor that is substantially coplanar with the plasma chamber surface or, alternatively, a sensor that is recessed into a plasma chamber wall.

Coplanar refers to the position of the sensor in relation to a plasma chamber surface, wherein a measuring surface of the sensor and the surface of the plasma chamber are substantially on the same plane. Recessed refers to the position of the sensor in relation to a plasma chamber surface, wherein the surface of the plasma chamber is between the measuring surface of the sensor and the plasma.

Unlike other indirect measurement techniques, such as the use of a non-coplanar or non-recessed interferometer which are subject to distortion, a coplanar or recessed sensor can directly measure the surface condition inside the plasma chamber. For example, in situations in which plasma chamber surfaces are pre-coated with a well-defined plasma-deposited film, it may be very difficult to use conventional sensors to determine the thickness of the deposited film, since the plasma condition during deposition is insensitive to the film thickness. Similarly, indirect sensors may be insensitive to changes in the surface oxidation state of the chamber materials.

In one embodiment, in a non-obvious way, a coplanar ion flux probe may be used to substantially detect the endpoint of a chamber conditioning process. In general, as RF energy is induced into the plasma chamber to sustain the plasma, an electric potential generally forms on the chamber surfaces from ions in the plasma. Subsequently, a capacitance is induced in the coplanar ion flux probe, which is also exposed to the plasma. As slow transient currents charge and discharge the capacitance, I-V characteristics of the ion flux probe may subsequently be determined.

Prior to the measurement the coplanar ion flux is biased negatively with respect to its steady floating potential by the application of a short burst of RF potential. The nonlinearity of the plasma sheath charges the capacitance. At the end of the RF burst, the probe potential returns to its original floating potential as the capacitance discharges, initially through the arrival of positive charge from the plasma.

However, the degree of induced capacitance may be affected by byproduct buildup. Since byproduct deposits tend to be comprised of large amounts of dielectric materials, they tend to partially insulate the underlying coplanar ion flux probe from the plasma, creating a smaller electric potential. That is, plasma chamber surfaces that are substantially clean may have a potential closer than that of the plasma, whereas ones with byproduct deposits generally have a potential that is less than the plasma. Eventually, the potential discharges and the chamber surfaces settle back to the normal dc floating potential. In general, a difference in potential, or the bias, is proportional to a change in the thickness of the byproduct deposits.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example from a dielectric etch plasma processing system is shown, where the induced bias on the probe during the pulsed application of RF power is correlated to the thickness of polymer deposited on the probe. In this example, the polymer was pre-deposited, and then a cleaning-type recipe was used to remove the film. The probe data is collected at a high rate, allowing real-time measurement of polymer film removal. In this example, RF-induced probe bias in a.u. (atomic units), on the vertical axis, is plotted against time in seconds, on the horizontal axis. In general, an atomic unit is an arbitrarily defined unit of charge. A proton has a charge of +1 atomic units and an electron has a charge of −1 atomic units.

Plot 302 represents RF-induced probe bias as a function of time for a plasma chamber with no pre-conditioning. Since there is effectively no byproduct to partially insulate the coplanar ion flux probe, the RF-induced probe bias is substantially constant at about −2.7 a.u. (automic units). Plot 304 represents RF-induced probe bias as a function of time for a plasma chamber with a 60 second polymer pre-conditioning deposit. Unlike plot 302, the RF-induced probe bias is somewhat lower at about −2.0 a.u. at time 0 sec of the dielectric etch plasma processing, progressing higher to about −2.6 a.u. at about 25 sec, at which point it becomes substantially constant, and therefore endpoint has been substantially reached. Plot 306 represents RF-induced probe bias as a function of time for a plasma chamber with a 120 second polymer pre-conditioning deposit. Like plot 304, the RF-induced probe bias is somewhat lower than plot 302, at about −1.4 a.u. at time 0 sec of the dielectric etch plasma processing, progressing higher to about −2.5 a.u. at about 60 sec. Unlike 304, there is no point within the 60 sec window at which the plot becomes substantially constant. This implies that the process endpoint has still not been reached.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a comparison of the probe data of FIG. 3 to other diagnostic data is shown, in which probe induced bias is shown to be a substantially accurate method of detecting the correct endpoint for polymer removal. This example demonstrates the use of the probe to endpoint the removal of polymer film from chamber surfaces. The data also shows how the probe could be used to endpoint the deposition of a dielectric film in the plasma chamber, for chamber conditioning purposes. For the data shown, the probe head was tungsten.

However, the probe may also use a doped silicon probe head, matched to the material used in a dielectric etch reactor. In that case, it is believed that the probe can detect thin surface oxides and could be used to detect the surface oxidation state of the silicon chamber parts, allowing the endpointing of chamber conditioning processes which either add or remove surface oxide from silicon.

Plot 402 represents hydrogen molecules in a.u. in the plasma chamber as a function of time. That is, as the surface oxide is etched, hydrogen is consumed in the etch process. Once the etching process is substantially finished, the amount of hydrogen in the plasma chamber stabilizes, as the amount added about equals the amount removed.

Plot 404 represents CN species also in a.u. in the plasma chamber as a function of time. That is, as the surface oxide is etched, CN is produced as a volatile byproduct in the etch process. Once the etching process is substantially finished, the amount of CN in the plasma is greatly reduced.

Plot 406 represents probe induced bias, as shown in FIG. 3, as a function of time. As previously described, the degree of induced capacitance is affected by byproduct buildup, which tends to insulate coplanar ion flux probe from the plasma. Subsequently, as the surface oxide is etched, the induced capacitance is increased. Once the etching process is substantially finished, the induced capacitance approaches that of the plasma itself and a substantially steady state condition is reached. At time 20 seconds, probe induced bias plot 406 becomes substantially constant at about −65 V, signaling that the surface oxide has been substantially etched. As can be seen, endpoint at time 20 seconds can also be detected in the remaining four plots.

Plot 408 represents voltage reactor at 2 MHz, as a function of time.

Plot 410 represents ion saturation current in mA/cm² as a function of time.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar ion flux probe is shown, according to one embodiment of the invention. Layer 502 represents a pre-conditioning plasma-deposited film or a pollutant byproduct buildup, and shields coplanar ion flux probe 504, which is positioned in plasma chamber wall 517, from direct exposure to plasma 510. As previously described, the degree of induced capacitance is affected by byproduct buildup, which tends to insulate coplanar ion flux probe from the plasma. Subsequently, as the surface oxide is etched, the induced capacitance is increased. Once the etching process is substantially finished, the induced capacitance approaches that of the plasma itself.

In another embodiment, a substantially coplanar quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is used. In general, a QCM measures mass in processes occurring at or near surfaces, or within thin films, by measuring the resonant frequency and resistance of a 5 MHz, AT-cut quartz crystal. The resonant frequency changes as a linear function of the mass of material deposited on the crystal surface. The resistance at resonance changes with the elasticity of the material (film or liquid) in contact with the crystal surface. As gravimetric instruments, QCMs can measure mass ranging from micrograms to fractions of a nanogram. Detection limits correspond to submonolayers of atoms.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar QCM is shown, according to one embodiment of the invention. Layer 602 represents a pre-conditioning plasma-deposited film or a pollutant byproduct buildup, and shields coplanar QCM 604, which is positioned in plasma chamber wall 617, from direct exposure to plasma 610. As previously described, coplanar QCM measures mass of layer 602, which is located proximate to it.

In another embodiment, an interferometer that is recessed into plasma chamber surface is used. In single-wavelength interferometry, a light beam may be directed on the surface of a polymer layer between the deposited polymer and the plasma chamber surface. The reflected signals then combine constructively or destructively to produce a periodic interference fringe. By measuring the number of fringes the thickness of material may be determined. Interferometry is generally accurate for features down to 0.25 microns.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a simplified diagram of a plasma chamber wall with a coplanar interferometer is shown, according to one embodiment of the invention. Layer 702 represents a pre-conditioning plasma-deposited film or a pollutant byproduct buildup, and shields light beam source 704 and interferometer 706, which is positioned near plasma chamber wall 717, from direct exposure to plasma 710. As previously described, by measuring the number of fringes the thickness of the deposited polymer may be determined.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, the layer being deposited on the surface by a prior process, is shown, according to one embodiment of the invention. Initially, a sensor is provided that is coplanar with the surface, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the thickness, at step 802. Next, the plasma chamber is exposed to a plasma, wherein the thickness is changed by the exposing, at step 804. The thickness is then determined as a function of time, at step 806. Finally, a steady state condition in the thickness is ascertained, the steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of the thickness, a start of the steady state condition representing the endpoint, at step 808.

While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods of the present invention.

Advantages of the invention include methods and apparatus for determining the endpoint of a cleaning or conditioning process in a plasma processing system. Additional advantages include optimizing process threshold detection, minimizing manufacturing yield problems, as well as optimizing plasma processing throughput.

Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the subject and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, said layer being deposited on said surface by a prior process, comprising: providing a sensor that is coplanar with said surface, wherein said sensor is configured to measure said thickness; exposing said plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein said thickness is changed by said exposing; determining said thickness as a function of time; and ascertaining a steady state condition in said thickness, said steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of said thickness, a start of said steady state condition representing said endpoint.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a coplanar ion flux probe.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a coplanar quartz crystal microbalance.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said process is a chamber pre-conditioning process.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said process is a waferless autoclean process.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said process is a surface chemistry control process.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said plasma processing chamber is a capacitively coupled plasma processing chamber.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said plasma processing chamber is an inductively coupled plasma processing chamber.
 9. A method of determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, said layer being deposited on said surface by a prior process, comprising: providing a sensor that is recessed from said surface, wherein said sensor is configured to measure said thickness; exposing said plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein said thickness is changed by said exposing; determining said thickness as a function of time; and ascertaining a steady state condition in said thickness, said steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of said thickness, a start of said steady state condition representing said endpoint.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said sensor is an interferometer.
 11. An apparatus for determining an endpoint of a process by measuring a thickness of a layer, said layer being deposited on said surface by a prior process, comprising: means for providing a sensor that is coplanar with said surface, wherein said sensor is configured to measure said thickness; means for exposing said plasma chamber to a plasma, wherein said thickness is changed by said exposing; means for determining said thickness as a function of time; and means for ascertaining a steady state condition in said thickness, said steady state condition being characterized by a substantially stable measurement of said thickness, a start of said steady state condition representing said endpoint.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said sensor is a coplanar ion flux probe.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said sensor is a coplanar quartz crystal microbalance.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said process is a chamber pre-conditioning process.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said process is a waterless autoclean process.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said process is a surface chemistry control process.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said plasma processing chamber is a capacitively coupled plasma processing chamber.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said plasma processing chamber is an inductively coupled plasma processing chamber. 